SANKHALI: As the festival of Diwali approaches, the air is filled with the festive spirit, and youngsters across the region are enthusiastically preparing for the celebrations. From crafting Narkasur effigies to lanterns and decorative items, the youth are leaving no stone unturned to make this Diwali truly special.
In a display of immense talent and dedication, various groups can be seen creating Narkasur effigies from scratch, pouring their creativity into every detail. While some prefer the hands-on approach, a few opt to buy or borrow face masks and ready-made Narkasur effigies, easing the workload during the busy festive season. For those with tight schedules, purchasing such effigies from professional artists is a common practice.
One such artist who has made a remarkable contribution to the festivities is Santosh Madhu Gaonkar, hailing from Gholwada-Poriem-Sattari. He has transformed his home into a hub of creativity, fashioning approximately 40 mini Narkasur effigies and crafting masks for 40 to 45 larger Narkasurs. Santosh has also created 200 sky lanterns, also known as akash kandils, using bamboo.
This year, he began crafting sky lanterns six months ago, a meticulous process that involves carving bamboo sticks and preserving them by boiling them in hot water.
Once dried, these sticks are used as the structural base for the enchanting akash kandils.
In addition to the sky lanterns, Santosh has a knack for making Narkasur masks using newspapers, which are then meticulously painted to bring out their unique character. These can be found for sale near Sankhali Hospital, along with the sky lanterns, while mini Narkasurs are also available upon demand.
